The season one house is a real location at 1120 Westchester Place in Los Angeles known as the Rosenheim Mansion. It was built in 1908 by architect Alfred Rosenheim as his own residence; Rosenheim was one of LA's most influential architects during the early 1900s. The house scenes in the pilot episode of "American Horror Story" were filmed on location at the Rosenheim Mansion, and then some of the house's interiors were replicated on a set. Exteriors continue to be filmed there on location.

Creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk stated from the beginning of the project that each season would feature a new story and cast.

The 'murder house' featured in the series is in fact called Rosenheim Mansion. It was also used as the Frat House location on Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Halloween special "Fear, Itself", in which the characters fears manifest themselves.

Ashley Rickards has shared the small screen with Evan Peters (Tate) before, portraying his girlfriend on the drama One Tree Hill. Here, however, she is a victim of his murderous rampage as opposed to a love interest.